Fabricated type bed



Dec. 3, 1957 B. L. SITES FABRICATED TYPE BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1956 A ttbrqeg S 1957" B. L. srrE's 2,81 89 FABRICATED TYPE BED Filed March 22, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrok. Be/ybmm L. Sites BY m/ /w w A t torneg 'Dec. 3, 1957 B. L.,SlTEs 2,814,989

FABRICATED TYPE BED Filed March 22 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 II! hum INVENTOR. Ber 'am/n A. Sz'zes BY United States Patent FABRICATED TYPE BED Benjamin L. Sites, Elmhurst, 111., assignor to Miehle- Gross-Dexter, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Application March 22, 1956, Serial No. 573,185

8 Claims. (Cl. 101382) This invention relates to improvements in flat bed printing presses. It more specifically pertains to a novel development in the construction of reciprocating members such as the type beds, ink distributing tables or the like, as are used in that class of machinery.

In flat bed presses, the type bed is moved to and fro, completing one stroke in each direction for every printing impression accomplished by the press. The production potential of such presses is definitely limited by the rate of speed at which the type bed and other reciprocating elements of a press can be driven within given safety limits.

On presses having type beds weighing upwards of 500 pounds, the velocity of the bed is necessarily limited to a relatively low rate in order to minimize the strain on the bed motion mechanism and preclude the possibility of the beds developing such momentum as to overcome the normal effectiveness of controlling and driving mechanisms associated therewith.

As a matter of fact, there have been instances where the momentum of the bed, at increased press speeds, has been so great as to gradually shift the entire press from its position on the press room floor.

For these reasons printing press manufacturers have made efforts for many years to devise means whereby the printing output of flat bed presses could be increased by an appreciable degree. In some instances, for example, presses were provided with improved air heads and other counterbalancing means to thereby assist in counteracting the forces which are developed by the reciprocating type beds. However, the advantages of such improvements were insignificant because the increase in press speed was quite negligible.

In other cases, the construction of the type beds themselves were modified in order to reduce their weight and to thereby lessen the inertia of the bed when in operation. However, the modifications known to me have either failed to decrease the weight of the type bed sufficiently to permit any appreciable increase in the speed of the presses, or the modified beds were of such flimsy construction that they did not have the rigidity and strength necessary to stand up under continued operation.

In one of such modifications, it was proposed to construct the type bed of separately formed steel parts comprising a fiat top plate made of rolled steel which was bolted to a cast steel web resembling a honey comb panel. The difference in weight between such a bed and the conventional cast iron beds is not sufiicient to make possible any appreciable increase in the printing speed of a press. Moreover, the vibrations and other forces created during the operation of a press with a type bed so constructed would soon result in loosening of the bolts, whereby the component parts are held together and, therefore, frequent adjustments and tightening together of the various components will be necessary.

Furthermore, in the suggested honey comb panel structure, the area of the individual honey comb elements was comparatively large and, therefore, such structure is not sufficiently rigid to avoid flexing of the top plate in the areas between the walls of such elements when under printing conditions. To avoid such flexing, it would, of course, require that the top plate, which supports the type form, be made of considerable thickness, thereby adding correspondingly to the weight of the bed instead of reducing it.

I have found by prolonged tests that by providing a honey comb panel, or similar web structure, of which the individual elements are approximately to inch in diameter, and their wall thickness about four to ten thousandths of an inch, the thickness of the top plate, as well as that of the bottom plate, can be held within approximately A to inch and still produce an exceedingly rigid structure capable of withstanding any impressional forces required for printing.

A bed constructed in accordance with my invention will be approximately 50% lighter than the conventional cast iron beds, thereby making possible a considerable in crease in press speeds.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of my invention to provide a type bed for flat bed printing presses which is appreciably lighter than conventional type beds.

Another object of this invention is to provide a type bed which shall be void of any heavy cast iron components and in which all elements are bonded together so as to constitute an integral and exceptionally rigid unit.

A further object is to provide a type bed in which the top and bottom plates of the integral unit are of limited thickness and in which the cells of the core panel are preferably of honey comb patternand of relatively small cross sectional dimensions.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a section of a type bed constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a crosssectional view taken through the type bed as applied to a conventional flat bed printing press, illustrating a preferred manner in which the improved type bed is mounted on the frame work of the press; and

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate modified forms of core panel construction.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial #274,095, filed February 29, 1952, now abandoned.

To more fully appreciate the advantages and the novel structural features of the improved type bed, I refer to Figure 1 of the drawings, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention.

It will be seen that the type bed is composed of a rigid, welded frame 10 having a top plate ii, a bottom plate 12, and a reinforcing panel or core member 13 interposed between said plates. This panel may be constructed of elements having honey combs or any other desirable cross-section.

The frame 10 of the type bed is preferably made from U-shaped channel bars which are cut to the required lengths and then welded together to form a rigid, rectangular member to which the component parts are secured. Preferably, the channel members are assembled with the open end of the U facing inwardly. Across the space between the arms of the channel bars is welded a fiat steel facing or plate 14.

As an alternative, rectangular tubing of the proper dimensions may be used for the frame member, however, it was found that such structure would be somewhat heavier than that disclosed herein.

The top plate 11 and bottom plate 12 are preferably formed from thin, rolled steel plate and may range in thickness from about inch to inch depending upon the size of the particular type bed and the cross sectional width of the individual cells of the core panel. Because these plates are relatively large they should be maintained as thin as possible to avoid adding unnecessarily to the weight of the bed. I have found, however, that if the plates are made much thinner than inch they are too flexible to be practical. On the other hand, thicknesses up to about Mr inch provide all the strength necessary for the largest size flat bed presses now available.

For maximum shear strength, the top and bottom plates are made coextensive with the outer edges of the frame member to better resist the impression forces on the center portion thereof.

The core panel 13 constitutes the major factor whereby the exceptional reduction in weight of the type bed is achieved. This member is sandwiched between the top and bottom plates and within the frame member 111 and, although it is fabricated from extremely light weight metallic foil, it has a high strength-weight ratio necessary to reinforce the top plate 11 against the impression forces exerted thereon.

The core panel may be fabricated in several different ways. For example, suitable strips of aluminum, steel or other metallic foil may be cut to length and then corrugated to form fiat surfaces on either side of a median plane. These surfaces are then coated with a thermosetting adhesive suitable for bonding metal surfaces whereupon the assembled strips are subjected to heat and pressure to bond them together.

The reinforcing core member 13 as shown in Figure 1 is made up preferably of individual, hexagonal, cellular units, which are substantially to inch Wide and may be formed of aluminum foil or any other suitable material of approximately .004 to .010 inch in thickness. However, these figures may vary somewhat, depending upon the shear strength and compression requirements of a particular press. The individual cell elements are bonded together into an integral unit resembling a honey comb and this unit is made so that the outer cells or walls thereof will fit closely adjacent the inner surface of the fiat steel plates 14 in order that the necessary bonding therebetween can be effected.

Although the core panel is illustrated in Figure 1 as having hexagonal cells which, when assembled, resemble a honey comb, the design of the cells per se is not critical and any polygonal shape which lends itself to this type of construction may be used. In Figure 3 for example, the metallic strips are corrugated in a manner to form square cells of uniform shape and size throughout, whereas in Figure the core panel is fabricated from cylindrical tubes which are first assembled and then compressed to the desired size. In such case, compressing the tubes causes them to assume irregular shapes ranging from irregular polygons to cylindrical tubes. It will be understood, therefore, that the precise configuration of the individual cells is immaterial and they may vary in shape within a given unit.

I have found, however, that for maximum strength and lightest possible weight, the cells should be made from metallic foil of about .604 to .010 inch thickness and that, regardless of the shape of the cells, they should be maintained between about A and inch in width.

When assembling the component parts of the type bed the contacting surfaces of the frame 16, top plate 11, bottom plate 12, the bars 14 and the reinforcing core 13 are coated with a bonding compound after which the assembled parts are securely bonded together to form an integral unit.

A bonding compound which may be used is a resinous material composed of thermoplastic and thermosetting ingredients, combined with suitable solvents, which, upon curing by heat or other treatment, results in a thermoset product. One of the preferred and perhaps most effective compounds of this type is that which is marketed under 4 the trade name Plycozite, 117 C, manufactured by the United States Plywood Corporation. It shall be understood, of course, that any other desirable process and means of bonding such as brazing or welding may be employed for the purpose of attaining the same results.

During the specific bonding process mentioned above, which, as indicated, involves heat treatment, gases are formed within the unit. In order to liberate these gases and thereby avoid excessive pressures from developing, openings or vents 16 are provided in the bars 14 of the frame to permit the gases to escape. Preferably, each one of the individual cells also is vented for the same purpose, by means of regularly spaced apertures or vents 17 which are provided in the bottom plate 12.

As an alternative, or in addition to the vents 17, the metal strips may be perforated to provide vents 17 in the walls of each cell, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. These perforations, both in the bottom plate 12 and in the metal strips, also help to further reduce the overall weight of the unit.

The auxiliary frame 18, which is welded to one end of the type bed provides means for attaching an ink distributing table to the bed. Although the ink distributing table is not illustrated, it will be understood, of course, that such table may be constructed in the same manner as the type bed in order to further reduce the weight of the reciprocating mass.

It will be appreciated that, in its finished state, the type bed must be provided with various fittings and attachments some of which constitute elements of the bed drive mechanism, whereas others operate as control means which coact with the drive mechanism to retard and reverse the motion of the bed.

In Figure 2, the type bed is shown in its operative position as "applied to a conventional flat bed press which is composed of frame member 19 which supports the way steels 21 on which the bed is reciprocated. In preferred constructions, rollers 22 are provided to assure smooth, friction-free operation and the bed itself is provided with tracks 23 to ride on the rollers.

Motion is imparted to the bed in a conventional manner by any suitable bed motion mechanism which may include a bed motion rack 24 provided on a rack hanger 25. Air cylinders 26 are provided to assist in the retarding and reversing motion of the bed. Pistons, not shown, coact with the cylinders 26 and are also fixed on the bed by means of brackets 27.

Because the bottom plate 12 of the type bed is formed from sheet steel as thin as inch, it is obvious that the tracks 23, rack 24 and brackets 2'7 could not be rigidly secured to the bed unless adequate support and fastening means were provided for anchoring them thereto.

For this purpose, steel inserts 28 are welded in predetermined positions to the inner surface of the bottom plate 12 before the type bed is assembled and bonded together to form an integral unit, as explained herein. The size of the inserts depends upon the weight and dimensions of the fittings to be attached and, as is shown in Figure 2, the inserts for the brackets 27 and the rack 24 are of greater dimensions than those needed for the tracks 23. The inserts are, of course, drilled and tapped after assembly and the honey comb panel 13 is notched or recessed to fit the inserts.

In other situations where greater stresses are exerted, the inserts may take the form of metal bars or blocks as shown in Figure 3. These bars can be any size or shape but preferably are the same thickness as the core panel so that they will have facing contact with, and may be bonded to, the inside surfaces of both the top and bottom plates 11 and 12 whereby the necessary rigidity is assured.

While I have herein illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is not to be limited to the specific disclosure, since modifications in the design and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fabricated type bed for printing presses comprising in combination, a top plate, a bottom plate, a reinforcing core panel interposed between said plates, and a metal frame member, said core panel being fabricated from metallic foil approximately .004 of an inch in thickness and patterned to resemble a honeycomb when viewed in crosssection with cells approximately /4 inch in diameter, said metal frame member surrounding said core panel, said frame member having contact with the peripheral honeycomb cells of the core panel and extending between and also having contact with the top and bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being formed of thin steel approximately A inch thick and both said plates being sufliciently larger than the area of the core panel so as to be coextensive with said frame member, a plurality of reinforcing metal inserts located between the top and bottom plates and having facing contact with the inside surface of said bottom plate, and all of said components being bonded together to form a lightweight, integral unit.

2. A fabricated type bed for printing presses comprising in combination, a top plate, a bottom plate, a reinforcing core panel interposed between said plates, and a metal frame member, said core panel being fabricated from metallic foil approximately .004 of an inch in thickness and patterned to resemble a honeycomb when viewed in cross section with cells approximately 4 inch in diameter, said metal frame member surrounding said core panel, said frame member having contact with the peripheral honeycomb cells of the core panel and also extending between and having contact with the top and bottom plates, said top plate being formed of thin steel approximately A inch thick, said bottom plate also being formed of thin steel approximately 4 inch thick and having spaced openings therein in alignment with the honeycomb cells respectively, said top and bottom plates being larger in area than the core panel so as to be coextensive with said frame member, a plurality of reinforcing metal in serts located between the honeycomb cells and the bottom plate and having facing contact with the inside surface of said bottom plate, and all of said components being bonded together to form a lightweight, integral unit.

3. A fabricated type bed for printing presses comprising in combination, a top plate, a bottom plate, a reinforcing core panel interposed between said plates, and a metal frame member, said core panel being fabricated from metallic foil about .004 to .010 of an inch in thickness and having polygonal cells substantially A1 to of an inch in width, said metal frame member surrounding said core panel, said frame member having contact with the peripheral cells of the core panel and extending between and also having contact with the top and bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being formed of thin metal approximately A to inch thick and both said plates being sufficiently larger than the area of the core panel so as to be co-extensive with said frame member, a plurality of reinforcing metal inserts located between the top and bottom plates and having facing contact with the inside surface of said bottom plate, and all of said components being bonded together to form a lightweight, integral unit.

4. A fabricated type bed for printing presses comprising in combination, a top plate, a bottom plate, a reinforcing core panel interposed between said plates, and a metal frame member, said core panel being fabricated from perforated metallic foil about .004 to .010 of an inch in thickness and having polygonal cells substantially to /8 of an inch in width, said metal frame member surrounding said core panel, said frame member having contact with the peripheral cells of the core panel and extending between and also having contact with the top and bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being formed of thin metal approximately to inch thick and both said plates being sufficiently larger than the area of the core panel so as to be coextensive with said frame member, a plurality of reinforcing metal inserts located between the top and bottom plates and having facing contact with the inside surface of said bottom plate, and all of said components being bonded together to form a lightweight, integral unit.

5. A fabricated type bed for printing presses comprising in combination, a top plate, a bottom plate, a reinforcing core panel interposed between said plates, and a metal frame member, said core panel being fabricated from metallic foil about .004 to .010 of an inch in thickness and having polygonal cells substantially to of an inch in width, said metal frame member surrounding said core panel, said frame member having contact with the peripheral cells of the core panel and extending between and also having contact with the top and bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being formed of thin metal approximately to inch thick and both said plates being sufficiently larger than the area of the core panel so as to be coextensive with said frame member, a plurality of reinforcing metal inserts located between the top and bottom plates and having facing contact with the inside surfaces of said top and bottom plates, and all of said components being bonded together to form a lightweight, integral unit.

6. A fabricated type bed as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bottom plate is perforated at regularly spaced intervals.

7. A fabricated type bed as set forth in claim 5 wherein the metallic foil is perforated at regularly spaced intervals.

8. A fabricated type bed for printing presses comprising in combination, a top plate, a bottom plate, a reinforcing core panel interposed between said plates, and a metal frame member, said core panel being fabricated from metallic foil about .004 to .010 of an inch in thickness and having polygonal cells substantially A to of an inch in width, the axes of said cells being perpendicular to the planes of the top and bottom plates, said metal frame member surrounding said core panel, said frame member having contact with the peripheral cells of the core panel and extending between and also having contact with the top and bottom plates, said top and bottom plates being formed of thin metal approximately to %4 inch thick and both said plates being sufiiciently larger than the area of the core panel so as to be co-extensive with said frame member, a plurality of reinforcing metal inserts located between the top and bottom plates and having facing contact with the inside surfaces of said top and bottom plates, and all of said components being bonded together to form a lightweight, integral unit.

No references cited. 

